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Pearl Millet

Pennisetum americanum

Found in fallow fields, other disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to Mississippi. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
3–6 feet
Spread
2–3 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to somewhat dry
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Bitter Panicgrass
    Panicum amarum

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Pink.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Switchgrass
    Panicum virgatum

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow, pink, purple or red.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Yellow Indiangrass
    Sorghastrum nutans

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow or orange.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

Refine these alternatives in the finder

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At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Bloom
May to December
Fruiting season
Summer to fall

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 11 Mississippi counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

10CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including MS

Genus host records with ranges including MS · Cenchrus

  • Anicla infectaGreen Cutworm Moth
  • Dargida diffusaWheat Head Armywotm Moth
  • Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
  • Hylephila phyleusFiery Skipper
  • Lerema acciusClouded Skipper, Corn Leaf tier
  • Lerodea eufalaEufala Skipper, Gray Skipper, Rice Leafroller
  • Mocis latipesSmall Mocis, Striped Grass Looper
  • Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
  • Nola cereellaSorghum Cutworm, Sorghum Webworm Moth, Sorgham Webworm Moth
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
7BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Cenchrus

  • Cardinalis cardinalisNorthern Cardinal
  • Passerina cirisPainted Bunting
  • Pheucticus ludovicianusRose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Porzana carolinaSora
  • Tympanuchus phasianellusSharp-tailed Grouse
  • Vireo olivaceusRed-eyed Vireo
  • Zenaida asiaticaWhite-winged Dove
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Hardiness
Zones 2a–11b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Yellow or purple
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Grows in clumps
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Pennisetum americanum; Pennisetum glaucum

Conservation status

Mississippi rankSNA
Global rankGNR
MS statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources